Oklahoma City—About 20 years ago, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic bought a matching set of Schagerl Rotary Trumpets for use specifically when playing 18th and 19th Century Austrian and German works.

Audience members will see the trumpets in use as the OKCPHIL presents its upcoming performance of “Mahler’s Vienna,” the second in the Inasmuch Foundation Classics Series. It will be performed Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. at Civic Center Music Hall.

“These trumpets are perfect for Mahler 5,” said Karl Sievers, Principal Trumpeter with the OKCPHIL. ““They have a more ‘burnished’ sound, which blends with the orchestra differently, and perhaps better, than traditional American piston-valved trumpets.”

Sievers is in his 23rd season with the orchestra, and said any trumpeter dreams of the chance to play Mahler 5.

“It is one of the only works for orchestra that begins with trumpet alone,” he added. “This entire work is epic, and has wonderful parts for all of the four trumpets. This is German romantic music at its zenith. The audience will be moved.”

In addition to Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate has programmed “Overture to Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna” by Franz von Suppé, and “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss.

“When I envisioned this program, I wanted to included Suppé and Strauss, because they represent the music Mahler would have been hearing as he was composing,” Mickelthwate said. “So, we are resurrecting some sounds of Vienna in the late 19th Century. It was a time where everything, the entire life of every part of society was focused around the emperor and around a deep-rooted system of nobility, bourgeoisie, workers and farmers without any options of vertical development. Yet, music connected everybody, as it truly was the life-blood of society.”

The OKCPHIL has an exceptional lineup of concerts in the Classics Series, including Bolero in November, superstar violinist Joshua Bell next April and a centennial tribute to civil rights icon Clara Luper in May.

The Chickasaw Nation Pops Series includes a 90th birthday tribute to John Williams Nov. 4 & 5. An add-on concert Thanksgiving weekend features the classic 1990 holiday film “Home Alone,” with the OKCPHIL playing the score live on stage.

Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein headlines “Coming Home for Christmas” in December, and Oklahoma Native Kelli O’Hara returns in February.

“We have something for everyone this season,” Mickelthwate said. “Music, to me personally, is the ultimate reflection of the inner feelings of the composer put into sounds. This season we will take you on a journey through multiple composers where you will experience an array of sounds and feelings. We are your OKCPHIL, and we look forward to seeing you soon!”

 

Ticket information can be found at OKCPHIL.org or by phoning 405-TICKETS.